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RICHARD' P. WHELAN, OF LEAYENWORTEL; KANSAS. Letters Pat-ent No. 72,950, dated December 31,' 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN B aIDLEeBITs.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.:

' Be it known that I, RICHARD' P.,W-HELAN, of the city and county of Leavenworth, in the State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Bridle-Bits, and the mode ofreiningV and managing horses; and thevfollowingis a full,.clear, and exact description ofthe'sa'me, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making apart of this specification, in whieh Figure 1 represents'my improved bridle-bit in the horses mouth, and the mode of attaching the reins for managing the' horse.A

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the bridle-bit and headstall strap broken oil'.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged-view of one side of the lbit', with `the mode of connecting the rein (in red lines.)

Figure 4 shows an enlarged' view of one of the pulleys for connecting the rein with the martingale, or substitute, with the throat-latch and headstall. I`

The object of my invention is to control and manage -headstrong horsesin the most easy, simple, and perfeet manner. l l f i My invention consists iu the construction ofthe bridle-bit, and the'mode of applying the reins, so as easily to control the most headstrong-or vicious horse without hampering, sofas to injure the animal in any manner; the effect being produced by a leverage suihcient to overcometh strength of the animal; and it being nearly self-operating, enables a feeble Aperson to control and manage the most strong and spirited horses.

To enable others to make and use my invention, I will describe it'more fully,'referring to the drawings and tothe letters marked thereon.

, The bridle-bit may be made of malleable east iron, or it may he wrought with swages into form, which consists of the straight bar A., having in its central portion two rings or bows, a a, secured to the bar, so that they lie easy upon the horses tongue when there is 11o-strain on the reins of the bridle. At'about a right angle from the bows a a, a suilicient distance to come outsifleof the under` jaw, is a strong bow, B, which rests under the under lip of the horse. This bow may be covered with one orm'ore rollers, b', made of India rubber, leather, or anyother suitable substance, to prevent friction and wear on the under lip. On the bar A, outside of the bow B, are secured the ornamental side pieces C C, they having rings c c in 'the upper ends, in which to attach the side straps d el of the headstallfD. In the outer ends of the bar A are the diamond-shaped rings E which are provided with a brace and frietionroller, e c, across the angleff, and also frictionrollers F F on the upper rear angle, for the reins G G to drawvaround as they are brought back by the sides of the horses neck to vbe controlled by the rider or driver. On-eaoh side, and secured to the' throatlatch H, are loops of metal, itk, in which are curved pulleys or Afriction-rollers I I. -The reins G G being connected by the snaiiie-hookg to the girt or surcingle which passes around the body of the horse, the'eonnection being in the position of 'the ordinary martingales; the reins then parting, are held in proximity to each other by'my peculiarly-constructed buckle, t', (which my intention is,`s ubsequently, to apply for 'Letters Patent.) The reins thenpass up over the pulleys I Lofi-om thence to the diamond-shaped rings E E on-th'e ends of thebar A, passing over the frictionrollers F F, fromI thence, to the check-hook, or the hand of the rider or driver. I

Having' thus described myA improved bridle-bit, land mode of'attaching the reins for the managing of horses, I will also describe its operation and advantages: The bridle-bit A-and'bows a a, when in their proper position, are perfectly easy to the mouth of Ythel horse, lying ilat'upon the tongue. The b ow B,1Wh ich encircles the under jaw of -the animal, keeps the bits square'in the mouth, so that they cannot be drawn out on one side, so that the forceapplied'to either rein, to turn or guide the animal, will all take eifect, the varrangeinent of-the reins,-and theirconnectionwith the headstalland diamond-shaped rings E E, being such that the leverage on the bit-bar A will place the bows ad in such a position inthe horses mouth that he cannot close it, thus formingl a most eiicient gag,`so long as he persists in his headstrong course.

The advantages of bridle-bits constructed as above described, and thel manner of connecting the reins are, that you entirely dispense with the use of long sideshanks for eurbre'ins, also the curb-reins and -martinga1es,

`thereby using less quantity ofileatlreiy'less friction, and less wearvon the reins, and a greater leverageon the bits.

There are various modifications, which all tend to the` same principle, -and different places in which the reins may have their fastenings, but none of them more e'icient than the methodabove described, which enables any one to manage a headstrong horse with perfect safety and success.

WhatI claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The stx-.aight bar A, having` rings or bows, a a, the curved under bar or bow B, with one or more rollers, b, as constructed, with ornamental scroll side pieces C C, diamond-shaped rings E E, friction-rollers e e, when combined with single reins G G, arranged and operating substantially in the manner herein described for the purposes specified. l

2. I claim the combination ofthe single pair of reins G G with the loops L z, pulleys I I, rings EE, rollers F F, `and snale-hool; g, tvhon connected and arranged in the manner as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my nome, in the presence o` RICHARD P. WHELAN.

Witnesses: D. P. COURTNEY,

Amos LANDEN. 

